Alex Blakey: designer of our listening sculpture on Tyrell Street
Alex Blakey, winner of the Friends of Bradford’s Becks listening sculpture competition was awarded the £2,000 prize by Bradford’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Geoff Reid on World Rivers Day, 25th September 2016.
Alex’s challenge is to create a sculpture which will provide a listening point to Bradford Beck which flows otherwise hidden below the city.
The competition judges say that Alex’s design was selected on various merits, not least that it would provide interactive opportunities for everyone, including disabled people and children.
Sonja Kielty, Curator of Exhibitions for Bradford Council and one of the judges commented, “There was an absolute variety of materials, design, influence and character from the entrants. Glass and stone won out in the end and for good reason. Alex Blakey is a new, emerging artist that has brought something quite exciting to the table.”
Alex is a young up and coming artist from Slaithwaite. About her entry, she says, “I designed the piece to reflect the natural flow of the forgotten river flowing beneath the city.”
About the design process, she said, “This was a particularly exciting competition for me to take part in as not only was it challenging but it also explored themes I am passionate about. I have always been inspired by local history and hidden spaces so the chance to explore the history of the Beck has been really interesting.”
Alex’s winning design is for a 2m tall block which combines sinuous shapes of stone and glass. The glass depicts images of the Beck, while the stone bears words which bring to mind Bradford’s history, present and potential. It has listening points at various heights.
Alex (Alexandra) Blakey
email: alexblakey@alxcreations.com
Website: alxcreations.com
